Beard needle closing device



May 4, 1965 F. w. CLARKE BEARD NEEDLE CLOSING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1962 y 4, 1965 F. w. CLARKE 3,181,570

BEARD NEEDLE CLOSING DEVICE Filed April 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK I14 6'4 ARKE 3 Sheetg-Sheet 3 May 4, 1965 F. w. CLARKE BEARD NEEDLE CLOSING DEVICE Filed April 19, 1962 United States Patent 3,181,570 BEARD NEEDLE CLOSING DEVICE Frank W. Clarke, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Apr. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 188,737 12 Claims. (Cl. 139-124) This invention relates to needle looms and, particularly, to an improved means or mechanism for closing the beards of knitting needles used in conjunction therewith for providing the knitted selvage along the edge of the tape or fabric being woven.

In the weaving of narrow tapes and fabrics it is now the customary practice to employ needle or shuttleless looms of various types. In such looms, a knitting needle is usually employed which, in cooperation with the weft needle, knits loops of the weft thread so as to provide a knitted selvage edge. In some of such looms, a knitting needle of the bearded type is employed so as to provide a hooked end portion of the end of the needle. As is well understood to those skilled in the art, it is necessary to provide some means for closing the beard of the knitting needle to obtain the desired knitted selvage edge and it is to such beard closing means that the present invention relates.

In most of such looms there is provided means such as a finger or roller which contacts the heard throughout the length thereof to close the same as the knitting needle is reciprocated in its knitting operation. Such beard closing means has been found not to be entirely satisfactory, mainly, for the reason that a considerable amount of heat is generated due to friction which is absorbed by the needle thereby resulting in frequent needle breakage. Obviously, when a needle breaks the loom is immediately out of operation and must be stopped and the broken needle replaced which is not only time consuming but expensive. Also, at times such needle breakage causes breakage of the weft thread which, of course, is also objectionable.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved means or mechanism for closing the beards of the knitting needles in needle looms which is efficient and effective in its use and reduces needle breakage to a minimum.

It is another object of the invention to provide a beard closing means for knitting needles which makes only a point contact with the beard so as to substantially eliminate any frictional heat.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved simple and inexpensive beard closing means for knitting needles which can be easily and conveniently incorporated with existing looms at a minimum expense and which travels with the knitting needle in its reciprocating movement.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a needle loom with which the present invention is shown incorporated,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the improved beard closing mechanism for the knitting needles in accordance with the invention as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top view of the beard closing mechanism with the cam shown in broken lines and showing the pin-like beard closing member in its retracted position in the cam race,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the pinlike beard closing member in another position in the cam race and in point contact with the beards of the knitting needles in moving toward its retracted position,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section of the beard closing mechanism of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, showing the bar-like member together with the knitting needles carried thereby in their fully retracted position,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 5 showing the bar-like member together with the knitting needles carried thereby in their fully protracted position directly opposite the ends of the weft needles,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one of the weft needles, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, a fragmentary plan view of a needle loom generally of the type and construction shown and described in the US. patent to Osborne Firing No. 2,497,- 077, dated Feb. 14, 1950. Accordingly, a detailed description and operation of such a loom will not be herein described, but merely a general description thereof will be given as reference can be made to the aforesaid patent for a more detailed description.

In such a loom, there is provided a box-like base or housing 2 in which the mechanism for actuating the various parts of the loom is housed, having a table-like top wall 3 on which the beard closing mechanism of the present invention is mounted. The warp threads, designated generally as W, are delivered to the loom from 'a creel (not shown). There is provided a plurality of reciprocable harness frames H through which the warp threads W pass to form the shed between the same in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Forwardly of these harness frames H, there is provided weft laying mechanism which includes a pair of guide members 4 each having a filler or weft needle N reciprocally mounted in a groove 5 therein. In the outer end of the weft needle N, there is provided an eye E into and through which the filler or weft thread F passes and by means of which it is delivered and layed into the shed, in a well known manner.

In accordance with the present invention there is arranged on the top wall 3 of the loom to one side of the warp threads and forwardly of the fell of the tape, a block-like supporting member 6 having an elongated ban like slide member 7 mounted therein for reciprocable movement in a plane parallel to the warp threads. This bar-like member 7 is preferably mounted on an inclined surface, as at S, so that it moves in its reciprocation at an acute angle to the movement of the weft needle N into the shed for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

In the outer end of this bar-like member 7, there is securely arranged a pair of knitting needles K with each having a conventional hook-like beard B carried thereby at the outer end thereof. These knitting needles extend outwardly from the end of the bar-like member 7 substantially parallel to warp threads W. There is provided two set screws 9 holding the knitting needles K in the end of the bar-like member 7. While two needles are shown so as to permit the weaving of two tapes at one time, one on top of the other, which is customary practice, it will be understood that only one needle may be used, if it is so desired, to weave only a single tape, as shown in the aforesaid Firing patent.

There is provided a substantially U-shaped arm-like member it} which is pivotally mounted, as at 12, on the outer end of the bar-like member 7 and swingable in a horizontal plane. On the outer end of this arm-like member 14}, there is arranged a vertically extending pin-like member 13 which isadapted to cooperate with the beards B of the knitting needles K in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

On top of the block-like member 6, there is-arranged a latch-like member 14 journalled to. a stud shaft 15 mounted on the block-like member. There is provided a thumb screw 16, the inner end of which cooperates with a V-shaped slot 17 in the block-like member 6 tolock this latch-like member 14 in its closed and operable position. a a

There is carried by this latch-like member14, an outwardly extending plate-like member 18 having an irregular substantially oval-shaped continuous cam race C arranged in the underside thereof, as more .clearly shown in FIGS. 3, '4 and 7 of the drawings,'in which an extension 20 of the pin-like member'13 is disposed and with which it cooperates as a follower. This cam race C is arranged so as to provide an outer portionor. track 21 for guiding the extension therealong when the bar-like member 7 is moved toward its protracted position and an inner portion or track 22 for guiding the extension 20 therealong when the bar-like member 7 is moved toward its retracted position as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4.

It-will be understood that the vbar-like member 7 may be reciproeated by any suitable means but in the present instance; there is shown in FIG. .5, a stud-like member 23 having the, upper end thereof disposed in an opening a in this bar-like member 7.' This stud-like member 23 is actuated by suitable mechanism (not shown) arranged in the housing 2. a

' Having described the construction of the improved following manner. It will be understood that the warp threads Ware positioned in the loom by threading them from a suitable source of'supp'ly, such as a creel (not .shown) through the eyes of the harness frames H and through the loom and over the feed rollers (not shown) for pulling the 'warp threads into and. through the loom The weft thread or filler F is in a well known manner. also positioned in the loom by threading it froma suitable source of supply such as a bobbin and through the eyes Ein the outer end of the weft needles N. It will be assumed that the loom is now in readiness for operation to weave. I

As the harness frames H are actuated, it will be understood that the shed between the warp threads is changed at each cycle of operation of the loom and that a double-pick of the weft thread F is layed or positioned in the shed by the reciprocating weft needles .N in a well known manner.

During each cycle of operation, the mechanism of the present invention functions as follows. As the weft needles N are being moved into and through the shed. together with the weft threadsF carried thereby the barlike reciprocating member 7 is moved toward its protracted position or to the left as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings. 7 the extension 20 of the pin-like member 13 will be guided by and pass along the outer portion or track 21 of the cam race C in the bottom of the plate-like member 18,

as shown more clearly in FIG. 3, so that the pin-like member 13' is moved in a path spaced from the beards B of the knitting needles K. It will also be seen that the knitting needles K move with the bar-like member 7 to which they are secured. When this extension 20 approaches the outer end of the outer portion or track 21 of the cam race C the ends of the knitting needles K will pass at this time in under the respective weft needles and through a loop of the weft thread formed in the end of the respective weft needles as shown in FIG. 9.

When the bar-like member 7 together with the knitting needles K carried thereby have moved to their fully protracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, the movement of the'bar-like member and knitting needles are reversed and moved toward their retracted position or to the right. In such movement it will be seen that the beards of the respective knitting needle will catch the respective loops of the weft thread and move therewith. Also, in such movement it will be seen that the extension 20 of the pin-like member 13 is guided and follows the path of the cam portion or track of the cam-race C, as shown in FIG.4 of the drawings. On continued movement of the bar-like member toward its retracted position, it will be seen that the pin-like member 13 will be moved to its lower most positioninthe cam race C and into substantially a point contact with the beards B of the knitting needles N, as more clearly shown in FIG. 4, thereby closing the beards against thebody or shank of the respective needlesand trapping the respective loop of weft'thread therein so they will not'accidently escape therefrom and so that the looped end of the previous double pick passes over the beard and off the end of the needle in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. In such continued movement of the bar-like member 7 toward its retracted position, it will be seen that the extension 20 continues to follow the inner portion 22. of the cam-race Cjand in so doing the pin-like member 13 moves out of contact with beards B of the knitting needles and the bar-like member is finally moved to its fully retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3.

. In such position it will be understood that the loops eration, at which time they will'be removed from the hook portions from under the beards on the next successive pick.

-mechanism of the present invention, it functions in the 1 After the beards of the knitting needles have picked up the respective loops of the weft'threads, it will be understood that the weft needles F also move toward their retracted position'out'of the shed substantially parallelto the fell of the-tape being woven so as to move the double-pick of filler-thread into the fell.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a simple and inexpensive means for closing the beards of knitting-needles used in needle looms which can be easily and conveniently incorporated with existing looms at a minimum expense. It will also be seen that such means makes only substantially a point contact with the beards to close the same thereby reducing unmeasurably heat absorption by the knitting needles caused by friction whereby the, life of such needles is prolonged indefinitely and thereby eliminating the cost of frequent replacements.

While I-have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may j be devised within the scope'of my invention as defined Insuch' movement it will be seen that in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is: 1. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like having means for feeding warp threads thereto,

means forforming a shed between the warp threads,

a weft needle for laying a weft thread into the shed,

' the combination ofa supporting means positioned along 'one side of the warpthreads,

a bar-like member mounted on said supporting means for reciprocation substantially parallel to said warp threads,

at least one knitting needle having a beard carried thereby securely mounted in the outer end of said bar-like member,

said knitting needle cooperating with the outer end of said weft needle so as to remove therefrom a loop of weft thread,

,a swingable arm-like member mounted on the outer end of said bar-like member having thev inner end thereof pivotally attached thereto adjacent said knitting needle,

a pin-like member arranged on the outer free end of said swingable arm-like member which is adapted to cooperate with the heard of said knitting needle to close the same,

a plate-like member mounted on said supporting means having a cam race arranged in one side thereof in which one end of said pin-like member is disposed and with which it cooperates whereby the pin-like member is moved in a path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when the bar-like member is moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its protracted position.

2. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like,

the combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the barlike member is mounted on the supporting means so that the bar-like member together with the knitting needle carried thereby moves at an angle acute to movement of the weft needle into the shed.

3. In a needle loom for Weaving tape and the like having means for feeding warp threads thereto,

means for forming a shed between the warp threads,

a weft needle for laying a weft thread into the shed,

the combination of a block-like supporting member positioned along one side of the warp threads,

a bar-like member mounted in said block-like member for reciprocation substantially parallel to said warp threads,

at least one knitting needle having a beard carried thereby securely mounted in the outer end of said barlike member,

said knitting needle cooperating with the outer end of said weft needle so as to remove therefrom a loop of weft thread,

a swingable arm-like member mounted on the outer end of said bar-like member having the inner end thereof pivotally attached thereto adjacent said knitting needle,

a pin-like member arranged on the outer free end of said swingable arm-like member which is adapted to cooperate with the beard of said knitting needle to close the same,

a latch-like member carried by said block-like member,

a plate-like member carried by said latch-like member having a cam race arranged in one side thereof in which one end of said pin-like member is disposed and with which it cooperates whereby the pin-like member is moved in a path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when the bar-like member is moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its protracted position.

4. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like,

the combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the barlike member is mounted in the block-like member so that the bar-like member together with the knitting needle carried thereby moves at an angle acute to movement of the weft needle into the shed.

5. In a needle loom for Weaving tape and the like having means for feeding warp threads thereto,

means for forming a shed between the warp threads,

a weft needle for laying a weft thread into the shed,

the combination of a knitting needle having a beard carried thereby arranged along one side of the warp threads substantially parallel thereto,

means for moving said knitting needle in a reciprocable path,

said knitting needle cooperating with the outer end of said weft needle so as to remove therefrom a loop of weft thread,

movable means arranged on the outer side of said knitting needle having a member carried thereby which is adapted to make substantially point contact with the beard of said knitting needle, and

means with which the said member cooperates so as to cause said member to move in an irregular, substantially oval-shaped path whereby said member is moved in a path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its protracted position.

6. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the means with which said member cooperates consists of a plate-like member mounted adjacent said movable means and said knitting needle having a substantially oval-shaped cam race arranged in the surface thereof in which said member is disposed and with which it is adapted to cooperate whereby said member is moved in a path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its pro- 'tracted position.

-7. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the movable means consists of a swingable arm-like member having said member arranged on the outer free end thereof, and

a reciprocating member to which the opposite end of said arm-like member is pivotally attached.

'8. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the knitting needle is so mounted that it moves in a path at an acute angle to the movement of the weft needle into the shed.

9. In a needle for weaving tape and the like having means for feeding warp threads thereto,

means for forming a shed between the Warp threads,

a weft needle for laying a weft thread into the shed,

the combination of a reciprocating member arranged along one side of the warp threads for substantially parallel movement therealong,

a knitting needle having a beard carried thereby mounted on said reciprocating member to that side of the warp threads extending substantially parallel thereto,

said knitting needle adapted to cooperate with the outer end of said weft needle so as to remove therefrom a loop of Wefit thread,

a movable member pivotally attached to said reciprolcating member,

a pinalike member carried by said movable member which cooperates with said beard to make point contact therewith to close the same when said reciprolcating member is moved in one direction therea-long, and

rneans with which said pin-like member cooperates so as to cause said pin-like member to move in an irregular, substantially oval-shaped path whereby the pin-like member is moved in a path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its protracted position.

10. In a needle loom for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the means with which the pin-like member cooperates consists of a plate like member mounted adjacent said reciprocating member and said knitting needle having a substantially oval-shaped cam race arranged in the surface thereof in which one end of said pin-like member is disposed and with which it is adapted to cooperate whereby the pin like member is moved in a [path to a point contact with said beard to close the same when moved in a direction toward its retracted position and in a path spaced from said beard when moved in a direction toward its protracted posit-ion.

11. In a needle 100-111 for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the movable member consist-s of 1 a swingalble arm-like member having the pin-like member arranged on the outer free end thereof with the opposite end of said arm-like member being pivotally attached to said reciprocating member;

"12. In .a needle loom for weaving tape and the like, the combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the reciprocating member is constructed and arranged so as to cause the knitting needle to move in a path at an acute "angle to the movement of the weft needle into the shed References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 5/40 Great Britain.

RUSSELL c. MADER, Primary Examiner. r DONALD W.'PARKER, Examiner. 

1. IN A NEEDLE LOOM FOR WEAVING TAPE AND THE LIKE HAVING MEANS FOR FEEDING WARP THREADS THERETO, MEANS FOR FORMING A SHED BETWEEN THE WARP THREADS, A WEFT NEEDLE FOR LAYING A WEFT THREAD INTO THE SHED, THE COMBINATION OF A SUPPORTING MEANS POSITIONED ALONG ONE SIDE OF THE WARP THREADS, A BAR-LIKE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR RECIPROCATION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID WARP THREADS, AT LEAST ONE KNITTING NEEDLE HAVING A BEARD CARRIED THEREBY SECURELY MOUNTED IN THE OTHER END OF SAID BAR-LIKE MEMBER, SAID KNITTING NEEDLE COOPERATING WITH THE OUTER END OF SAID WEFT NEEDLE SO AS TO REMOVE THEREFROM A LOOP OF WEFT THREAD, A SWINGABLE ARM-LIKE MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE OUTER END OF SAID BAR-LIKE MEMBER HAVING THE INNER END THEREOF PIVOTALLY ATTACHED THERETO ADJACENT SAID KNITTING NEEDLE, A PIN-LIKE MEMBER ARRANGED ON THE OUTER FREE END OF SAID SWINGABLE ARM-LIKE MEMBER WHICH IS ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH THE BEARD OF SAID KNITTING NEEDLE TO CLOSE THE SAME, A PLATE-LIKE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS HAVING A CAM RACE ARRANGED IN ONE SIDE THEREOF IN WHICH ONE END OF SAID PIN-LIKE MEMBER IS DISPOSED AND WITH WHICH IT COOPERATES WHEREBY THE PIN-LIKE MEMBER IS MOVED IN A PATH TO A POINT CONTACT WITH SAID BEARD TO CLOSE THE SAME WHEN THE BAR-LIKE MEMBER IS MOVED IN A DIRECTION TOWARD ITS RETRACTED POSITION AND IN A PATH SPACED FROM SAID BEARD WHEN MOVED IN A DIRECTION TOWARD ITS PROTRACTED POSITION. 